| Less common causes of microcytosis are thalassemia and lead poisoning. |
| Many patients with thalassemia in underdeveloped nations die in childhood or adolescence. |
| With the exception of iron deficiency and thalassemia, hypochromic microcytic anemia is rare. |
| Like sickle-cell anemia, thalassemia is a recessive hereditary disorder and thus must be inherited from both parents. |
| Bone marrow transplantation may be considered in some cases of sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and aplastic anemia. |
| In beta thalassemia, beta chain production is reduced along with a compensatory increase in gamma and delta chain production. |
